Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 119 Zhu Gaochi, Drenched in Sweat
Look at this! This is vision! This is adherence to ancestral traditions! In the eyes of Emperor Zhongzu of Ming, his father Zhu Di's greatness lay not only in the 'achievement' of territorial expansion, but also in laying a prosperous, stable, and benevolent foundation for a well-governed era! The name 'Taizong' is the most comprehensive and sublime summary of Zhu Di's civil and military achievements! Changing it to 'Chengzu' would only narrow his magnificent accomplishments! Ultimately, at Emperor Zhongzu's insistence, this significant station was named—Taizong Station! And it remains so to this day!

So, my friends...

Today, we can conveniently and quickly travel underground in Xunzhou, an ancient yet modern city. Besides gratitude for modern technology, we must also thank Emperor Zhu Gaoshuo of the Ming Dynasty, a visionary ruler who cared deeply for the people and was exceptionally principled! It was his foresight and perseverance that ensured the name 'Taizong' (Emperor Taizong) is forever etched into the heart of this city, along with convenient transportation! Alright, that's all for this episode. See you next time!

The sky slowly darkened, finally settling on the three solemn and grand station names of "Taejong Station".

The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Heavenly Observation.

The curtain of heaven fell, but the air inside the palace seemed to freeze. The fragrance of sandalwood wafted, yet it could not dispel the silent, turbulent waves.

Zhu Di sat upright on the dragon throne, his body as stiff as a stone. His face displayed a rapidly changing array of expressions, a truly fascinating sight.

First came shock and absurdity: an underground tunnel? Two cars running side-by-side? Station spacing? Emergency evacuation? What on earth was Lao Si doing? This was utterly unbelievable! What was he thinking about all day?!

Then came anger and disdain: Humph! Showy! Spending time on these fancy tricks and gimmicks, neglecting our duties! Wouldn't it be better to use this time to build more treasure ships and train more elite troops?
However, when the content creator read out the specific clauses regarding the passageway planning, a subtle tremor flashed deep in Zhu Di's eyes. Width, height, spacing, and flow distribution—the logic was clear and the considerations meticulous, subtly resonating with a certain framework that he didn't understand but instinctively felt was "reasonable."

This fourth brother's meticulousness far exceeds what ordinary people can imagine.

When the scene shifted to the brightly lit, bustling modern "Taizong Station," and Zhu Di saw the speeding "iron dragon" and the convenient scene, his breath hitched. A sense of disbelief and bewilderment rose in his heart.

Is this the final form of the "underground tunnel" envisioned by the fourth prince? So miraculous? Benefiting all people? The things he planned are now being used by everyone in later generations?

Immediately afterwards, the content creator changed the subject, mentioning the rivalry between "Emperor Chengzu" and "Emperor Taizong"! Zhu Di's pupils suddenly contracted!
Enraged! Like a powder keg that's been ignited!
Zhu Di clenched his fist tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand! Chengzu? Which bastard dared to suggest changing my temple name?! I am Taizong! The one who succeeded Taizu, who established the dynasty and ushered in a golden age! Chengzu? What does that sound like? Like those reckless tyrants who expanded territories but lacked a stable foundation! Which unworthy descendant dared to be so blasphemous!
Despite the pleasant words spoken in the imperial court, Zhu Di, once he became emperor, knew that those statements were intentionally manipulated and that the reality was not what was said at all, according to Emperor Chengzu.

Hmph, it's just that someone is using this as an excuse to make a fuss about the Fengtian Rebellion again.

When he heard that "the emperor at that time was the grandson of Emperor Zhongzu Zhu Gaoshuo of the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Di's gaze, burning with rage, was like a poisoned arrow, instantly piercing the crown prince Zhu Gaochi!

As soon as the content creator mentioned "grandchildren," Zhu Gaochi's obese body trembled violently as if struck by lightning, and his face turned as white as paper!

Large beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead and temples, streaming down his greasy cheeks. He felt his father's gaze burning him like a branding iron. "Father...Father! Calm down! Calm down!" Zhu Gaochi knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with sobs, his words incoherent.

"Zhanji... Zhanji is still young! He... he doesn't understand! He must have been misled by treacherous people! Your son... your son will definitely discipline him strictly when he gets back! I will never... I will never let such a rebellious thing happen!" As he spoke, he frantically wiped away the cold sweat that he couldn't stop with his sleeve, cursing that "unfilial grandson" a thousand times in his heart, and hating Tianmu with a vengeance—why does this thing always choose to broadcast the most dangerous things!
"Discipline?" Zhu Di's voice was as cold as a knife pulled from an ice cave, each word carrying a chilling edge.

"I think the problem is fundamentally flawed! At such a young age, how dare he speak ill of the ancestral temple names? Who gave him the audacity?! Huh?!" The last "huh" was like a thunderclap, making Zhu Gaochi tremble all over.

However, at the height of his rage, the words that the content creator imitated Zhu Gaoshuo clearly reached Zhu Di's ears.

"Emperor Taizong is a model of succession and maintenance of the dynasty, a synthesis of civil and military achievements! The late emperor quelled the rebellion, established the dynasty, and created a prosperous era, his merits will last for a thousand years! How can we lightly change the temple name of our ancestors because of the military achievements of later generations? Moreover, this underground thoroughfare benefits all people, and taking the name 'Taizong' is in line with the late emperor's holy virtue of putting the people first!"

These words, like sweet rain pouring down from the heavens, or a stabilizing force, instantly soothed the raging anger and humiliation churning in Zhu Di's heart.

I feel gratified! Moved! Even a little proud!
Zhu Di's tightly clenched fist unconsciously loosened, and the raging anger that had been burning the heavens and boiling the seas quickly dissipated like the receding tide. In its place, an indescribable warm current surged from the bottom of his heart and instantly flowed through his limbs and bones.

Fourth Prince! It was the fourth prince! It was him! In the imperial court, when his descendants dared to undermine the foundations of their ancestors, it was he who stood up! It was he who resolutely upheld the dignity of the name "Taizong"! It was he who profoundly understood and explained the essence of his achievements: "the integration of civil and military accomplishments" and "the saintly virtue of putting the people first"!

The phrase "perfectly aligns with the late emperor's sage virtue of prioritizing the people" struck a chord with Zhu Di! Throughout his life, Zhu Di prided himself on his achievements, and what he cared about most was this "prosperous foundation" and "benefiting all people." How fitting was the title "Taizong"! How glorious!

Despite strong opposition, they ultimately saved "Taejong Station"!
Zhu Di slowly, very slowly, leaned back onto the dragon throne, his tense body relaxing.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a profound calmness, beneath which lay a surging admiration and satisfaction for the fourth brother, Zhu Gaoshuo.

He glanced at Zhu Gaochi, who was still kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf, sweating profusely, and constantly trying to salvage his image as a grandson. For the first time, he felt a clear sense of disappointment towards this usually benevolent crown prince.

Zhanji...it seems the eldest son has failed in his parenting!
Then look at the fourth son, who lives far away in Xunzhou. He not only came up with the ingenious idea of ​​an underground thoroughfare that benefits all people, but also upheld ancestral customs and maintained his father's posthumous reputation.

(End of this chapter)